The Edgar Police Department appeared to have been the first to share a message hinting at the deaths on board. The department's Facebook post said simply "Prayers for their families" and included a blue ambulance-crew emblem with a black bar across it diagonally. Beneath the emblem were the words "Never Forget."

The post appeared around 8 a.m., before the deaths had been made public, but shared no details.

Later, after news surfaced about the three deaths, other police and emergency services agencies joined in, using the same emblem Edgar used or a variation.

Plover Fire/EMS near Stevens Point posted a more extensive message along with the emblem.

"We woke up to horrible news this morning out of Northern Wisconsin as we learned that all 3 flight crew members from a Spirit Medical Helicopter passed away after a recent helicopter crash," the Plover post said. "We extend our deepest sympathies and our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to the Emergency Services family."